Special Selectboard Meeting 1-22-24

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2024 0122 SLB Special Meeting Draft Minutes.pdf 453 KB

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Draft Minutes

TOWN OF SWANTON

   SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING

Town Office Building

1 Academy Street, Swanton, VT 05488

Monday, January 22, 2024 – 12:00 Noon

Present: Steve Bourgeois-Vice Chair, Joel Clark, Nicole Draper, Cody Hemenway-Members, Brian Savage-Town Administrator, Cathy Fournier-Town Clerk, Christina Candels-Administrative Assistant

1. Call to Order

Mr. Bourgeois called the meeting to order at 11:57 pm.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Bourgeois led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Agenda Review

Mr. Savage requested to review cleaning contract under New Town Business.

Mr. Hemenway requested to add animal control, discussion with police chief and tribal council update under New Town Business.

4. Meeting Topics

1. Public Comments  

None   

      2. Old Town Business

                  a) Amend the previously approved Highway Department Budget

Ms. Cathy Fournier presented the board with the updated proposed 2024 Highway Budget. Ms. Cathy Fournier had to add $40,000 for the Brooklyn Street Stormwater repair & engineering fees to the budget.

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Mr. Clark made a motion to approve the proposed 2024 Highway Budget in the amount of $1,285,363.02, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.  

      3. New Town Business

                  a) Approve the Warning for the Annual Town Meeting to be held March 5, 2024

                        Mr. Savage reviewed the 10 articles listed on the Warning with the Selectboard.

The public informational meeting will be held Monday, February 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Swanton Village Complex.

Mr. Clark made a motion to approve the Warning for the Annual Town Meeting to be held March 5, 2024 as presented, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

                  b) Approve and sign Grant Agreement Resolution for Abenaki Nation Missisquoi

                      Community Center

Mr. Savage updated the board on this grant. The state will send this money to the Town whom will forward the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi. Mr. Savage need the authority from the town to process the grant. The grant amount is $53,000.

Mr. Clark made a motion to approve the Grant Agreement Resolution for Abenaki Nation of the Missisquoi Community Center, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried. Mr. Hemenway abstained.

      4. Any other necessary business

                   a) Town Office cleaner update

Mr. Savage has interviewed Mr. Joe Cava to clean the Town Offices. Mr. Savage stated the Town had been paying the same rate of $225 every two weeks since 2012. To convert that to the value now is $335 every two weeks.

Mr. Bourgois asked if there is a cleaning list? Mr. Savage stated there is a checklist to follow.

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to pay Mr. Cava $335 every two weeks to clean the Town Office, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.  

                   b) Library basement repairs

Mr. Savage had received one estimate from Menard Handy Man & Property Maintenance. The Selectboard members had received an email estimate from David Winchester. The board discussed both estimates and would like to get new estimates that do not include flooring, they would like to have an epoxy sealant put down instead of tile or carpet.  The board would like to have the floor sealed and not put down tile or carpet for the foreseeable future.

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to get the estimates updated from both contractors with epoxy sealant and Mr. Savage select one, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.

                   c) Animal Control-Mr. Benson absence

Mr. Hemenway stated Mr. Benson will be unavailable this week and if anything comes up, please have them contact Mr. Hemenway.

                   d) Mr. Hemenway follow up with Police Chief Sullivan

Mr. Hemenway stated he is going to take some of the concerns discussed at the Public Hearing back to Chief Sullivan. Mr. Hemenway knows you can’t appease everyone but thinks its important to share the community’s concerns.

                   e) Selectboard follow up with Tribal Council

Mr. Hemenway stated the Abenaki Tribal Council would like to invite the Selectboard to their meeting. Mr. Hemenway will share more when they have a date and time set after Town Meeting.

      5.   Public Comment (Reprise)

            None

      6. Adjournment

Mr. Hemenway made amotion to adjourn at 12:54 pm, seconded by Mr. Clark. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted by

Christina Candels-Administrative Assistant